Over the last few
weeks, Tennessee Firearms Association and its legislative friends have
repeatedly been made aware that a “major announcement” was coming soon
on a 2nd Amendment issue. TFA was told from its sources that TFA’s
members would likely be very pleased with the legislation. This week
TFA was made aware that a major announcement would likely occur after
the Legislature concluded its standard business activities on Thursday.
During
an 11:00 a.m. press conference, Gov. Bill Lee discussed some of the
aspects of a potentially significant change in Tennessee law that could
eliminate the need for a person who can otherwise legally possess a
firearm to have a state issued permit in order to carry it in Tennessee.
During
the press conference, in which Governor Lee was surrounded by many
apparently excited Legislators, the Governor addressed his new proposal
regarding constitutional carry. The presentation appeared to be a
prewritten speech starting off with the duty of legislators to follow
the constitution.
Governor Lee announced that this is being
introduced as an “administration bill”. Governor Lee announced that
Tennessee would be joining 16 other states that have already adopted
constitutional carry. The legislation would apply to those age 21 and
up and would not allow carry in prohibited places (i.e., “gun free
zones”).
Governor Lee also announced that he would materially
increase criminal penalties on those who steal or illegally possess a
firearm. His comments did not indicate whether such “harsher penalties”
would apply to those who can otherwise carry a firearm legally but
inadvertently do so in one of those “gun free” zones or otherwise engage
in non-violent conduct but incidentally possess a firearm.
Speaker
Sexton spoke on this bill and announced it was a great day in law
enforcement because this new law would be a new tool for law enforcement
to take guns out of the hands of undefined “criminals”.
Chairman
Mike Bell spoke on the bill. He congratulated the Governor for his
leadership on bringing this bill. Chairman Bell stated it was time for
Tennessee’s elected officials to start “trusting” Tennesseans.
Chairman
William Lamberth next spoke on the bill. He claimed the bill was
perhaps the first of its kind in the nation. He did emphasize that the
penalties will call for “very, very long time” in prison sentences for
those who commit crimes with guns.
Senator John Stevens, who
voted to kill a constitutional carry bill in 2016 when offered by
Senator Mark Green, spoke in favor of the Governor’s bill.
When
the choreographed presentation concluded, Governor Lee then invited
questions. He indicated that Tennessee’s law enforcement was supportive
of the provisions which strengthen criminal penalties.
Governor
Lee did state that the draft of the bill has been completed and given
to the Legislature. However, as of the time of the press statement,
that amendment was apparently not available for public inspection on the
Legislature’s website. He did suggest that the bill draft might be
available “within a day or two”. However, he seemed to emphasize the
increased penalty provisions was a major focus of the forthcoming
legislation.
After hearing the press announcement and without
the opportunity to actually see the “devil in the details” regarding the
bill itself, it is still impossible to say whether the bill is as
pro-2nd Amendment as the Governor and the Legislative speakers
suggested. Certainly, they have information that is not publicly
available at this time.
TFA remains optimistic but extremely
guarded as to whether it could support all of the bill. One reason is
that its not clear at this time whether the Legislature or the Governor
would even favorably consider input or amendments from the public.